In the United States, March 17 is unanimous with celebrating Irish culture. But many Saint Patrick’s Day “facts” we hear are actually myths! Let’s bust 6 of the most commonly believed stories about Saint Patrick (and his special day).
Myth: Saint Patrick was Irish.
Fact: No one has nailed down Saint Patrick’s nationality. Scholars believe he was born in the area now known as England, Scotland, or Wales. However, he could have had British, indigenous Celtic, or Italian heritage. I guess “luck of the British, or indigenous Celts, or Italians” just doesn’t have the same ring to it!
Myth: Saint Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland.
Fact: Someone else beat him to it. In 431 AD, shortly before Saint Patrick began preaching in Ireland, Pope Celestine reportedly sent a bishop named Palladius to preach to “the Irish believing in Christ”. This meant some Irish people had already converted to Christianity by the time Saint Patrick made it to the Emerald Isle.
Myth: Saint Patrick banished snakes from Ireland.
Fact: There weren’t any snakes to banish. Ever since the last Ice Age, Ireland has been surrounded by water, so snakes can’t slither over from neighboring lands. Earlier in history, Ireland’s climate was too cold for snakes to survive. So Ireland was already snake-free long before Saint Patrick arrived! The “snakes” in the legend may represent pagan ideology, since snakes were often associated with ancient deities.
Myth: Modern Saint Patrick’s Day festivities originated in Ireland.
Fact: Saint Patrick’s Day used to be somber. Until the 1700s, Saint Patrick’s Day was only observed by Roman Catholics in Ireland. Participants usually spent the day in quiet prayer at church or at home to honor Saint Patrick’s godly deeds. This tradition shifted when Irish immigrants living in the United States began organizing parades on March 17 to celebrate their Irish heritage. When other countries joined the party, a secular and festive ode to Ireland was eventually formed.
Myth: Green has always been the color of Saint Patrick’s Day.
Fact: Saint Patrick was associated with the color blue. Early depictions of Saint Patrick show him wearing blue robes rather than green ones. In the late Medieval Ages, knights in the Order of Saint Patrick even wore a color called “Saint Patrick’s Blue”! Green was first connected with Saint Patrick’s Day when it was used in 1800s campaigns for Irish independence.
Myth: Corned beef and cabbage is a classic Irish dish.
Fact: Irish people eat Irish bacon instead. For hundreds of years, people in Ireland have enjoyed Irish bacon (made from pork loin instead of pork belly) as a tasty main dish. But when Irish immigrants arrived in the United States, they realized this cut of meat was hard to find. They found an economical solution in corned beef, which they could purchase from Jewish delis near the Irish-American part of town.
Our beliefs about Saint Patrick’s Day aren’t always historically accurate, but paying homage to the Emerald Isle is still fun. What’s your favorite way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day? Click the blue button below to vote! 👓